It seems that kids all over the world rather fancy themselves as professional hackers. Perhaps it is because kids generally have a problem with authority, because they aren't on their own yet, and they are tired of taking orders from parents, teachers, police, and government. Well then, why not harvest that energy, and use it for something positive? Hire a hacker
There was a great article recently in SpaceWar Online news titled "Hackers School Next Generation at DEFCON Kids" by the Staff Writers in San Francisco from the AFP published on June 25, 2011.
"DEFCON hackers will share their skills with the next generation at a first-ever children's version of the infamous gathering of software renegades, lock pickers and social engineers at the 19th annual Las Vegas DEFCON. "Everyone is up in arms that we are going to teach kids to be evil, but that is not the case, " stated one old timer (age 35) hacker involved. "
Now then, although I am not an advocate for hacking by any means, I can tell you that we will need kids who understand computer security to protect our IT networks, clouds, and data centers in the future. And the military will definitely need a strong pool of smart and knowledgeable hackers to protect our nation and exploit our enemies. In fact, if kids idolize hackers, perhaps they should be idolizing good guy hackers. The article made another good point, specifically it stated;
"Security industry wondered how to hook children on science and math skills. The group will teach kids that hacking it is about the creative, sometimes interesting out-of-the-box embracing of science, math, computers... to get their creative juices flowing. "
Okay so, this is exactly why I put this article together, you see, if kids like to play on computers, and do a little hacking because they think it is fun, cool, and a challenge, just as video games are, then surely they will have to learn how to do it. That means in the process they will have to learn all about computer security, programming, and the IT science behind it all, which I might add includes a ton of math. It also means they need to stay in school and become experts in mathematics taking advanced classes in math and computer science.
In doing so they will surely set their future with a rewarding career, that is "IF" the folks at DEFCON can indeed keep them on the good-guy side of the fence and out of mischievous, illegal, or malicious hacking, which is the program's mission. And consider how many kids may grab hold of the computer security theme, and make it their life's focus through high-school and college. Think about how much money they will make and how in demand they might be in future decades?
